Student Spotlight: Lisa LaRose

Lisa LaRoseMajor: Nursing

Although Lisa LaRose dropped out of high school, she realized the importance of education
and earned her GED.

LaRose then completed college courses in programming and computer management but never
attended full time. She landed good jobs and later watched as all three of her daughters
took classes at College of DuPage.

She finally decided the time was right to enroll and has earned an Associate in Applied
Science degree in Nursing. Once at COD, she encountered professors who were more than
willing to help, such as Larinda Dixon, professor of Nursing.

“I spent 24 weeks with her during my clinicals,” LaRose said. “She is responsible
for where I am today in terms of the nursing capabilities I now have.

“But I was amazed at all of the professors, from the Nursing program to my general
education classes. I never had a professor who didn’t want to go the extra mile. Everyone
from start to finish has been so helpful and interested in my success here. It’s clear
they stand behind what they are doing.”

In addition to her class work, LaRose was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. In 2011, she
was named one of the two Outstanding Graduates at College of DuPage.

Since graduation, LaRose passed the NCLEX and became an RN, working at Marianjoy Rehabilitation
Hospital in Wheaton on the brain injury unit. She became a Certified Brain Injury
Specialist and entered Benedictine University’s RN to BSN program, which was a cohort
for previous COD nursing students.

Having earned her BSN, she also received her Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse
(CRRN); completed both her Nurse Clinician III and Nurse Clinician IV designations;
and maintains certifications for Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Acute
Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

LaRose currently is a Clinical Referral Liaison for the admissions department at Northwestern
Medicine/Marianjoy. She follows patients in local acute care hospitals to assess their
post-hospital needs and their appropriateness for inpatient rehabilitation.

“My experience at College of DuPage was great,” she said. “The value of the education
that you receive for the price you pay is really outstanding.”

College of DuPage Addison Center

College of DuPage Addison Center is located in the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) on the east side of Swift Road, north of North Avenue and south of Army Trail Road. Swift Road is approximately 3/4 mile west of Route 53 or I-355.

College of DuPage Lisle location

The Lisle location is home to the Center for Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development. College of DuPage Lisle is located in the One Corporate Lakes building at the corner of Forbes and Cabot drives, just north of Warrenville Road.

College of DuPage Naperville Center

College of DuPage Naperville Center is located on the south side of Rickert Drive. Rickert Drive is accessed by turning north from 75th Street two miles west of Washington Street. From Route 59, travel east on 75th Street to Rickert Drive and turn north.

College of DuPage Westmont Center

College of DuPage Westmont Center is located on the west side of Pasquinelli Drive. Pasquinelli Drive is accessed by turning north from Ogden Avenue one block west of Route 83. The center entrance is immediately north of the bank.